The hottest Humanities Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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The Oversimplification of Ta-Nehisi Coates

Glenn Loury • 1329 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Debate Humanities Writing Identity
  1. Ta-Nehisi Coates' writing explores deep human experiences and how our backgrounds shape us. This shows that our nurturing environments impact our moral choices and understanding of suffering.
  2. There's a need to examine different perspectives on sensitive topics like the Israel-Palestine conflict. Understanding these viewpoints helps us grasp the complexity of people's actions and beliefs.
  3. Coates emphasizes the importance of recognizing human connections and the struggle against dehumanization, yet some critics feel he oversimplifies complex issues, making it harder to have deeper discussions.

The humanities help us find the people we want to know.

The Common Reader • 3614 implied HN points • 26 May 25
🎭️ Culture Humanities Literature Education Philosophy Arts
  1. The humanities help us connect with like-minded people. Discussing books is a great way to make friends and enhance our lives.
  2. Sorting, selecting, and signaling are important benefits of studying the humanities. They help us find the right group and show others our interests.
  3. Reading great literature, like works from Jonathan Swift, can improve our understanding of each other and create a sense of community.

Palabras y Algoritmos y demás digresiones

Érase una vez un algoritmo... • 119 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
📚 Literature Writing AI Humanities Books Essays
  1. Writing is an important activity for many people, even if it doesn’t make them money or gain them fame. It can be a personal need and a way to express oneself.
  2. AI can be used as a helpful tool for writing, acting like a smart editor. It can improve writing by catching mistakes and suggesting better phrasing without replacing human creativity.
  3. The author is working on a new book about how AI will change writing. They believe in combining human creativity with AI to create a new collaborative writing process.

☞ "The Magic of Code" and the Humanistic Computation Project

Cabinet of Wonders • 254 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Computing Humanities Education Artificial Intelligence Community
  1. The project focuses on viewing computing as a humanistic art, aiming to blend technology with liberal arts education. This approach hopes to deepen our understanding of code and its impact on society.
  2. There's excitement about developing educational programs like courses and workshops to discuss these ideas more widely. Building a community of people with similar interests is also a goal.
  3. A new book titled 'The Magic of Code' has been released, which explores these themes and is part of the broader Humanistic Computation Project.

The Honest Broker's 20 Most Popular Articles From 2024

The Honest Broker • 8610 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Media Technology Art Humanities Society
  1. The Honest Broker had a remarkable year with 171 articles published, attracting 25 million views and nearly doubling its subscriber count to 198,000. The growth exceeded initial expectations and highlights a strong community engagement.
  2. Many popular articles focus on technology and culture, reflecting a public concern about the impacts of new tech, including digital platforms that can manipulate and abuse users. There is a call for voices to address these issues, especially for those affected.
  3. Despite a shift towards discussing technology, there's still a yearning for deeper topics like the humanities and creativity. Articles that explore significant cultural shifts and raise critical questions resonate well with readers.
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Can You Really Learn the Humanities in 52 Weeks?

The Honest Broker • 7480 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🚌 Education Humanities Literature Arts Culture Learning
  1. You can learn the humanities in a year by following a structured plan with about 250 pages of reading each week. This makes it manageable and not overwhelming.
  2. The course covers a wide range of topics, including literature, art, and music, allowing you to explore human culture broadly.
  3. It's flexible; you can do it at your own pace and even join a reading group if you want to learn with others.

Movie Review: Anora

Life Since the Baby Boom • 2766 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Film Art Humanities Social Issues Entertainment
  1. The movie 'Anora' tells a unique love story between a sex worker and a rich young man, highlighting their genuine connection amidst the chaos of their lives.
  2. The film explores themes of acceptance and the complexity of feelings related to sex and relationships, challenging the idea that sex work is simply a job without emotional weight.
  3. The characters bring humor and depth, especially with comedic elements surrounding family dynamics and cultural clashes, making it a fun yet thought-provoking watch.

Welcome to my words

Technohumanism • 139 implied HN points • 22 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Art Technology Humanities Journalism Philosophy
  1. Connecting art and science is important to understand human experiences and creativity. Both play a role in helping us find meaning in our lives.
  2. The author has a diverse background in journalism and tech, sharing unique stories and insights from various industries. Their experiences aim to bring a fresh perspective on complex topics.
  3. The aim of this Substack is to explore intriguing ideas and offer guidance about navigating the changing world, especially in relation to technology and its impact on society.

The Global Food Institute, an update

Longer Tables with José Andrés • 825 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🍲 Food & Drink Education Policy Innovation Humanities Sustainability
  1. The Global Food Institute aims to inspire a new generation to solve big food problems through policy, innovation, and humanities.
  2. The Institute has made progress, including participation in events like the World Food Forum and the launch of the Alliance for a Sustainable Future.
  3. Key leaders like Bill Dietz and Tara Scully are driving research, policy work, and curriculum development at the Institute.

The Decline of The Humanities In The 21st Century, And How To Revive The Economy of Ideas.

A Mug of Insights • 1218 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy History Ethics Metaphysics Critical Theory Humanities
  1. Students are more focused on exam success than genuine learning or philosophical inquiry.
  2. The modern education system prioritizes practicality over understanding in the humanities.
  3. There is a resurgence in interest in humanities despite challenges, showing hope for a revival in the economy of ideas.

☞ The Humanistic Computation Project

Cabinet of Wonders • 300 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Computation Humanities Science Philosophy Literature
  1. Computation can help us understand many fields, not just programming. It can connect ideas from literature, biology, philosophy, and more.
  2. The study of computation involves looking at how we think and use language. It also explores the limits of mathematics and the nature of reality.
  3. Humanistic computation blends computer science with the humanities and social sciences. This new field encourages us to think deeply about how technology and culture interact.

The English Major is Dead. Long Live... Statistics?

Litverse • 598 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
📚 Literature Education Critique Analysis Humanities Culture
  1. The traditional focus on English majors and humanities is declining in college, with more students opting for fields like statistics and focusing on tangible results and financial outcomes.
  2. There is a shift towards valuing passion over privilege in the humanities, while statistics and data-driven analysis gain popularity in educational pursuits.
  3. The current generation is redefining education and career paths, emphasizing skills and practical knowledge over the traditional humanities subjects, reflecting a cultural shift in how knowledge is valued and applied.

Einstein on Education

Humanities in Revolt • 459 implied HN points • 25 Nov 23
🚌 Education Humanities Ethics Learning
  1. Albert Einstein believed that humanities were crucial for human flourishing and couldn't be replaced by a purely scientific education.
  2. Einstein criticized early specialization in education, emphasizing the importance of a broad humanistic general education over narrow career-focused paths.
  3. Einstein advocated for cultivating independent thinking skills in students, warning against excessive competitiveness in educational systems and promoting a philosophy of honoring individuality and social responsibility.

65 Years “Two Cultures” – Time for a Celebration?

Heterodox STEM • 92 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Academia Science Humanities Knowledge Social Issues
  1. There's a divide between the humanities and STEM fields, which can lead to a lack of understanding and cooperation. This split has been growing over the years and is sometimes seen as a 'culture war.'
  2. Non-knowledgeable behaviors, like group think and over-emphasizing feelings, are affecting how knowledge is developed and shared. It's important to stick to processes that encourage truth and understanding.
  3. In academia, different cognitive traits can be found in STEM compared to the humanities. Recognizing these differences might help us understand the ongoing issues in knowledge creation and communication.

Private thread: Can the humanities save cities and companies money?

The Recovering Academic • 178 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Humanities Art Religion Philosophy History
  1. One way to address water shortages in the American Southwest is through interdisciplinary approaches, such as investing in research, conservation initiatives, and public education rather than just focusing on increasing water supply.
  2. The aesthetic preferences and perceptions of beauty, particularly influenced by imported European ideals, play a significant role in creating water problems in regions like Arizona, highlighting the potential impact of humanities like art and literature in reshaping these views.
  3. Considering humanities expertise, including art, religion, philosophy, and history, could potentially offer valuable solutions to economic challenges faced by cities and companies beyond just water shortages.

Can Australia Get Any Dumber?

Cosy Moments • 36 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Education Multiculturalism Arts Humanities Language
  1. Australia's universities are cutting language and humanities courses for financial reasons. This makes it harder for students to learn about different cultures.
  2. The Vice-Chancellor's past actions at other universities show a trend of prioritizing profit over education in languages and humanities. This raises concerns about the future of cultural diversity in academia.
  3. Celebrating cultural diversity while cutting language courses is hypocritical. This inconsistency highlights a broader issue of ignoring the value of diverse cultural and artistic expressions.

Two perspectives on the liberal arts and the humanities

Heterodox STEM • 199 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
🚌 Education Liberal Arts Humanities Literature Philosophy Classics
  1. Liberal arts education in the US may serve different purposes for elites and non-elites, with disparities in expectations and outcomes.
  2. Humanities education is seen as vital for a well-rounded education and understanding fundamental human questions and experiences.
  3. Reading classic literature may play a role in shaping perspectives and values, potentially reducing susceptibility to certain societal trends like 'wokeness'.

'Luckily, we love tedious work'

imperfect offerings • 119 implied HN points • 24 Aug 23
🚌 Education Workplace dynamics Artificial Intelligence Humanities Critical Thinking
  1. Generative AI may impact the job market, emphasizing marketization over addressing economic and social challenges.
  2. Artificial intelligences may free humans from tedious tasks, but can also lead to uncreative and repetitive work.
  3. AI technologies are evolving, but their impact on graduate job market transformation may not align with initial expectations.

We Need to Do Better than Hum 1 & Soc Sci 2 in General Education

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 215 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🚌 Education Humanities Higher education Liberal Arts Critical Thinking
  1. The purpose of humanities in education should be more than teaching a limited view of Western literature and thought.
  2. It is valuable to provide students with a broad liberal education that includes exposure to different perspectives, even critical ones.
  3. American universities should focus on teaching true facts and how to think critically rather than implanting specific values.

Living Truths and Dead Dogmas: How the Humanities Honors Freedom of Thought and Expression

Humanities in Revolt • 279 implied HN points • 08 Sep 22
🚌 Education Humanities Critical Thinking Dialogue Cultural analysis
  1. The humanities teach us not to judge something before we understand it, promoting open-mindedness, love for enemies, and freedom of thought and expression.
  2. Criticism of conventional schooling highlights the need for education that fosters critical thinking, independence, and a love for learning, rather than regimentation and conformity.
  3. Humanistic inquiry reinvigorates our understanding of beliefs, encourages critical examination, and emphasizes the ongoing effort necessary to maintain living truths instead of dead dogmas.

Humanities and Social Change: There is No Final Revolution

Humanities in Revolt • 159 implied HN points • 03 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Humanities Social Change Activism Literature Philosophy
  1. Society often focuses on the mechanics of achieving objectives, but sustaining social change requires creativity, empathy, perseverance, and purpose, which the humanities can provide.
  2. Feelings of frustration and despair are common in social justice activism, but acknowledging these emotions and turning to the humanities can offer spiritual and ethical sustenance.
  3. Victories in social-political movements are impermanent, emphasizing the need to replace the pursuit of 'victory' with a more human and sustainable approach, reflected in the idea that there is no final revolution. Revolutions are infinite and ongoing.

A Welcome to New Subscribers

Mind & Mythos • 199 implied HN points • 26 Jan 23
📖 Philosophy Psychology Humanities Personality Mythology
  1. Psychology connects many fields, and the author sees it as a mix of art and science. This blend leads to a better understanding of the human mind.
  2. The blog focuses on personality psychology, which ties together different areas of psychology. It's a way to explore how personality influences behavior and thoughts.
  3. The author plans to publish at least one essay each month and share shorter posts when inspired. Readers can find a guide to the content on the About page.

Chat with Humanities in Revolt

Humanities in Revolt • 99 implied HN points • 19 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Humanities Discussion Creativity Ideas Philosophy
  1. The introduction of a new feature called Humanities in Revolt subscriber chat provides a more private and creative space for subscribers to have informal conversations.
  2. The chat allows for exploration of ideas and perspectives in a relaxed manner, where subscribers can engage with the content creator and each other in a more spontaneous way.
  3. To join the chat, subscribers need to download the Substack app, as the chats will be sent through the app with push notifications enabled to stay updated on conversations.

Why A.I. Won’t Make Us Dumb

The Digital Anthropologist • 19 implied HN points • 06 May 24
🕹 Technology AI Coding Humanities Technology impact Future of AI
  1. The assumption that AI will make us dumb is based on a simplistic view of human behavior resembling coding logic, but humans are complex and creative beings.
  2. Technological advancements like AI are more likely to augment our capabilities rather than diminish them over time, allowing for new forms of learning and creativity.
  3. Humanity's diversity, creativity, opinions, and resistance to conformity make it unlikely that we will completely submit to AI, preserving our autonomy and individuality.

My Humanities Journey

Humanities in Revolt • 79 implied HN points • 18 Mar 23
🚌 Education Humanities Philosophy Literature Higher education Critical Thinking
  1. The dominant schooling system has been criticized by various great thinkers for failing to nurture critical thinking, creativity, and democratic values, highlighting the importance of reevaluating traditional education methods.
  2. Mark Twain and Jack London, despite being school dropouts, emphasized the distinction between 'schooling' and 'education,' emphasizing the role of life experiences and concentrated study in their intellectual development.
  3. Formal education is not the only path to learning, as illustrated by Dr. Nall's journey from a high school dropout to earning a doctorate, highlighting the value of informal learning, exploration, and deep critical thinking in one's educational journey.

Two End-of-Year Talks: bell hooks' Labors of Love and the Power of the Humanities

Humanities in Revolt • 119 implied HN points • 15 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Humanities Feminism Social justice Education Public Speaking
  1. bell hooks emphasized the importance of love as a transformative force in social justice movements, but faced skepticism, especially from younger audiences.
  2. Upcoming presentations will focus on bell hooks' contributions to feminist thought and the power of humanities in understanding existential priorities.
  3. The talks will be open to the public, offer insights into human oppression, and emphasize the value of humanities in shaping our perspectives on living well.

One Year of Humanities in Revolt

Humanities in Revolt • 139 implied HN points • 16 Sep 22
🚌 Education Humanities Critical Thinking Ethics Culture Public Engagement
  1. Humanities are not just for colleges and universities; they have value in everyday life and should be shared with a wider audience.
  2. Engaging with humanities involves critical evaluation and thoughtful contemplation, not just passive consumption.
  3. The humanities encourage independent thinking, dialogue, and self-examination, tackling existential questions and challenging ideas with respect and humility.

Giving Veterans More than "Thanks"

Humanities in Revolt • 99 implied HN points • 10 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Veterans Humanities Popular culture Warfare Dialogue
  1. Reflect on the genuine meaning behind "Thank you for your service" to veterans and the importance of authentic gratitude.
  2. Acknowledge the complexities of war experiences for veterans beyond surface level praise and consider engaging in meaningful conversations with them.
  3. Understand the civic responsibility involved in sending individuals to combat, and prioritize genuine dialogue and comprehension over superficial gestures.

Curator

Castalia • 159 implied HN points • 18 Aug 22
🎭️ Culture Media theory Political Philosophy Humanities Social Commentary
  1. The medium used to share ideas shapes how those ideas are perceived and engaged with. Different formats, like books versus films, create very different audience responses and reactions.
  2. Political beliefs are more influenced by social surroundings than solely by moral reasoning or issue preferences. People often vote against their apparent interests based on the community they belong to.
  3. The humanities face a challenge in being relevant today. They must either align with market demands or remain true to their purpose of fostering deep thinking and soul-searching, which may not fit in the current job market.

Getting Our Priorities Straight: Humanities and the Art of Living

Humanities in Revolt • 159 implied HN points • 15 Apr 22
🚌 Education Humanities Philosophy Life Skills
  1. Sometimes we prioritize things like our possessions or earning potential over the true joys of life and being present in the moment.
  2. It's important to understand the distinction between the means and ends of life, and to focus on what truly brings value and fulfillment to our existence.
  3. Living a good life requires skill and effort, akin to mastering an art. Recognizing and pursuing the true ends of life is crucial for finding meaning and purpose.

Nietzsche Didn't Say That... But He Would've Agreed

Humanities in Revolt • 139 implied HN points • 28 Apr 22
📖 Philosophy Wisdom Existence Truth Transformation Humanities
  1. Our harsh judgment of others often stems from ignorance and lack of understanding. We should practice intellectual humility and refrain from presuming to know everything about unconventional behavior.
  2. Great ideas stand on their own merit, regardless of the author. The value of an idea lies in its ability to help us understand the world, not just in who said it.
  3. Wisdom and knowledge may lead to being misunderstood by others. Embracing transformation in pursuit of truth requires both humility and courage.